Removal instructions for the Best Friend Backgrounds browser hijacker

What kind of software is Best Friend Backgrounds?

Our research team discovered the Best Friend Backgrounds browser extension during a routine investigation of untrustworthy sites. This extension promises to display canine-themed browser wallpapers.

After analyzing this piece of software, we determined that it is a browser hijacker. Best Friend Backgrounds makes alterations to browser settings in order to promote (through redirects) the bestfriendbackgrounds.com fake search engine.

Best Friend Backgrounds browser hijacker overview

Browser hijackers assign endorsed websites as browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new tab/window URLs. Therefore, whenever a Web search is performed via the URL bar or a new browser tab/window is open – it results in a redirect to the promoted site.

Best Friend Backgrounds changes the previously mentioned settings to bestfriendbackgrounds.com. Fake search engines typically cannot provide search results, so they redirect to legitimate Internet search websites. At the time of research, bestfriendbackgrounds.com failed to redirect anywhere successfully.

Based on the extension's description, the redirects were supposed to land on the Bing search engine (bing.com). Note that bestfriendbackgrounds.com redirects could succeed or lead elsewhere, as they may be impacted by factors like user geolocation.

Browser-hijacking software commonly utilizes persistence-ensuring mechanisms, such as restricting access to removal-related settings or undoing user-make changes – to prevent users from restoring their browsers.

Software within this classification usually has data-tracking abilities, and this might apply to Best Friend Backgrounds. Targeted information can include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. The collected information can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

In summary, the presence of software like Best Friend Backgrounds on devices may lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Best Friend Backgrounds
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Best Friend Backgrounds
Supposed Functionality	Dog-themed browser wallpapers
Promoted URL	bestfriendbackgrounds.com
Detection Names (bestfriendbackgrounds.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (bestfriendbackgrounds.com)	143.198.168.30
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Symptoms	Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling).
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Browser hijacker examples

PoConvert, Askusdaily, Literature News on New Tab, and Animated BG are just some examples of browser hijackers we have examined recently.

Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and offers "handy" functionalities. In most cases, the promised functions are fake and nonoperational – their purpose is to entice users into downloading/installing the software.

It must be stressed that even if a piece of software operates as advertised – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Best Friend Backgrounds install on my computer?

We obtained Best Friend Backgrounds from its "official" promotional webpage. In addition to such sites, browser hijackers are often endorsed on deceptive/scam pages. Most visitors access them via redirects generated by websites utilizing rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, or installed adware.

"Bundling" – parking ordinary program installation setups with unwanted/malicious additions – is also used to distribute browser-hijacking software.

Downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installations (e.g., using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

Additionally, intrusive advertisements proliferate browser hijackers. Some of these ads can be triggered (i.e., by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly advise researching software prior to downloading or purchasing it. Furthermore, all downloads must be performed from official and trustworthy sources. When installing, we recommend reading terms, inspecting available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplements (e.g., apps, extensions, tools, etc.).

Another recommendation is to be careful while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears genuine and innocuous. For example, intrusive advertisements may look harmless – yet redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with such ads/redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Best Friend Backgrounds, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by Best Friend Backgrounds browser hijacker:

Website promoting Best Friend Backgrounds browser hijacker:

Appearance of bestfriendbackgrounds.com redirect (GIF):

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is Best Friend Backgrounds?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Best Friend Backgrounds browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove bestfriendbackgrounds.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove bestfriendbackgrounds.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Best Friend Backgrounds browser hijacker removal:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Best Friend Backgrounds browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Best Friend Backgrounds browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Best Friend Backgrounds" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Best Friend Backgrounds", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.bestfriendbackgrounds.com) below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "bestfriendbackgrounds.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the bestfriendbackgrounds.com redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Best Friend Backgrounds", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "Best Friend Backgrounds", remove hxxp://bestfriendbackgrounds.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".

In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with bestfriendbackgrounds.com redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the bestfriendbackgrounds.com redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit bestfriendbackgrounds.com website?

Redirects to webpages like bestfriendbackgrounds.com are generated because cyber criminals (e.g., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers, etc.) profit through them.

Is visiting bestfriendbackgrounds.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Websites classed as fake search engines usually collect (and sell) visitor data.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser-hijacking software is primarily distributed via deceptive promotional webpages, online scams, bundled installers, freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Best Friend Backgrounds browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate all browser-hijacking apps present. Keep in mind that manual removal (performed without security tools) might not be ideal, especially when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. Browser-hijacking software might also render removal-related settings unmodifiable. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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